Video game audio is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the music and entertainment industry, providing exciting opportunities to engage students through authentic, career-connected learning. This interactive session demonstrates how music educators can introduce professional sound design concepts in the secondary music technology classroom through a hands-on game audio project.
Using strategies adapted from The Sound Lab's Game Audio Strategy Guide, participants will explore how sound designers create immersive audio experiences through layering, transient shaping, frequency slotting, source recording, synthesis, and effects processing. Attendees will participate in a condensed classroom lesson in which common household objects and digital audio workstation tools are used to create original sound effects for video game weapons, explosions, magical abilities, creatures, and vehicles.
The session will model a project-based learning approach that encourages creativity, critical listening, problem-solving, and technical audio production skills while aligning with modern music technology standards. Educators will leave with practical lesson ideas, classroom workflows, and resource recommendations that can be immediately implemented in middle school, high school, or collegiate music technology programs.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will:
• Understand the foundational principles of game audio sound design, including layering, transient staging, and frequency management.
• Learn how to guide students through creating original sound effects using accessible recording techniques and DAW-based processing.
• Explore project-based learning strategies that connect music technology instruction to careers in video game audio and interactive media.
• Experience a model classroom lesson that can be adapted for various grade levels and technology resources.
• Leave with ready-to-use activities and assessment ideas for implementing game audio projects in their own classrooms.
Session Format
Interactive Demonstration and Hands-On Workshop
Participants will:
• Analyze examples of professional game audio sound design.
• Observe a live demonstration of creating a sound effect from raw recorded materials.
• Participate in a mini-lesson modeled after a classroom activity.
• Discuss curriculum integration, assessment strategies, and technology requirements.
Target Audience
Middle School Music Educators, High School Music Technology Teachers, Collegiate Music Education Faculty, General Music Educators Interested in Technology Integration
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Andrew Meehan
Andrew Meehan is a film composer, music producer, and music technology educator at North Penn High School. His professional work includes composing and producing original music for independent films and multimedia projects. As an educator, he develops project-based curricula that connect students with real-world careers in music production, film scoring, audio engineering, and interactive media. His courses emphasize creativity, industry-standard workflows, and authentic artistic experiences that prepare students for contemporary music careers.